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Private sector infrastructure aid needed

May 24 2012 11:04

I-Net Bridge

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Johannesburg - SA needs to find innovative ways to encourage
private sector participation in infrastructure development in order to increase
the level of private sector investment in the local economy, Public Enterprises
Minister Malusi Gigaba says.

Government has identified R3.2 trillion for 17 key
infrastructure programmes around the country.

He said that while some of the money was available for this
infrastructure roll-out programme, much still needed to be funded.

"The government has identified various funding models
including the possibility of an infrastructure fund, public-private
partnerships, public-public partnerships, and other models in order to unlock
the balance sheet of the private sector," he said.

Gigaba noted that in July, President Jacob Zuma was due to
host an infrastructure conference outlying government's plans to get buy-in
from the private sector, as well as identifying areas for public-private
participation.

Lack of infrastructure has often been indicated by leaders
as the one of the key challenges to intra-Africa trade. Intra-Africa trade is
said to be at a mere 12%.

The continent was in dire need of further investment, Gigaba
said, particularly within transport and energy infrastructure.

"However, it is crucial that we also change Africa's
relationship with the world as a producer and supplier of commodities towards a
new position where we also add value and participate in value-added
trade," he said.

Gigaba said it was not viable to simply invest R3.2 trillion
in establishing the road, rail and energy infrastructure that was needed,
without also ensuring the development of related jobs and skills via the
rollout of such programmes.

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